The Highlands have undergone considerable change
during the last century and a half, and the alteration, in a social point of view, has
been on the whole for the better. The Highlands are now generally as accessible as the
lowlands; the manners, speech, and occupations of the inhabitants are becoming more and
more assimilated to those of their lowland neighbours, and to all appearances, in a very
short time, there will remain little or nothing to distinguish the Scottish Celt from the
Saxon. Although this change has by no means been altogether to the advantage of the
Highlander, although many of the vices as well as the virtues of civilization have been
forced upon him, still, for the sake of the community at large, the change cannot be
regretted, and it is only to be desired that the lowlanders in turn may be brought to
admire and imitate the noble virtues of their northern neighbours, their courage,
fidelity, reverence, self-respect, and love of independence.

Living
Conditions in the Highlands after 1745 - Part 2The Tacksmen the first to suffer and emigrate, Consequences to those
who remained, Wretched condition of the Western Islands, Introduction of
large sheep-farms, Ejection of small tenants, "Mailers",
Hebrides, Real Highland grievance, Title-deeds, The two sides of the
Highland Question, Truth on both sides, Excessive population, Argument of
those who condemn depopulation, The sentimental and military arguments,
Testimony as to wretched condition of Highlanders, Highlands admirably
suited for sheep, Effect of sheep-farming on Highland scenery, Highlands
unsuited to black cattle, Large and small farms, Interference, Fishing and
farming cannot be successfully united, Raising rents, Depopulation, How
far the landlords were to blame, Kelp, Advantages and disadvantages of its
manufacture, Potatoes, Introduction into the Highlands, Their importance,
Failures of Crop, Disease, Amount of progress made during latter part of
18th century.

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